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The First Reflection Letters illustrate a range of skill levels, interests, and ambitions.
(Disclosure: These are often my favorite writings by students.)
Steph^(talk) 10:32, 2 October 2007 (EDT)

Contents 1 FIRST Reflections 1.1 A Concluding Paragraph 1.2 intro excerpt 1.3 To Write or not to Write 1.4 Writing Accountability 1.5 Transitioning 1.6 Me. As a Writer. 1.7 Usage of Language 1.8 How to write a good essay 1.9 The Obstacles of Writing 1.10 Expressing Yourself Through Writing 1.11 The goal gone wrong 1.12 Crawl Before You Walk 1.13 Audience 1.14 writer's standard 1.15 Hesitant but Hopeful 1.16 lazy man 1.17 I'm Improving 1.18 Sticking to a Format 1.19 On the Right Track? 2 SECOND Reflections 2.1 Getting Better 2.2 Continuing to develop as a writer 2.3 Writing makes better and better 2.4 Continue to Work 2.5 SARS 2.6 Pactice makes "better" 2.7 One heck of a researcher 2.8 Use your head silly! 2.9 Drafts 2.10 Reflection Numero Dos 2.11 From First to Second 2.12 Trying New Things 2.13 No Class, No Pass 2.14 Whos Started the three Equal Signs? 2.15 Learning is Cool 2.16 Who's up for seconds? 2.17 Opinion 3 THIRD Reflections 3.1 Asking myself WHY?? 3.2 Third reflection letter 3.3 Some thoughts on Society and Writing 3.4 Final Words(Last but not the least) 3.5 third time's a charm 3.6 Third time criticized 3.7 Brainstorming 3.7.1 Patrick's Epiphany 3.7.2 Steve's Epiphany (Better Than Pats) 3.7.3 Pay For Play 3.7.4 Feedback 4 FINAL Reflections 4.1 Final Remark 4.2 Cumulative Learning 4.3 tnelson 4.4 Long paper 4.5 Some Final Thoughts and Reflectionary Thought-Type Writing 4.6 How far I've come 4.7 That's All Folks 4.8 Steph...Its Been Real 4.9 Connection 4.9.1 Expectations 4.9.2 In the End... All You Can Do is Reflect

FIRST Reflections

A Concluding Paragraph

This assignment doesn't work for me usually, but especially not after only a couple papers into the year. However, I will write another one of these letters, regardless of whether it is assigned or not, at the end of the year when I will be able to provide a much more conclusive opinion. Additionally, the next reflection letter that I write will contain just a little bit more insight than this one and so on and so forth until that pinnacle of self-reflection that will be my final letter. I promise, that final letter is going to be so kickass that reading it will make your eyes vaporize in their very sockets. Marco 13:55, 2 October 2007 (EDT)

intro excerpt

As I move from one topic to another, I need better introduction sentences and conclusions especially at the end of each paragraph so that the reader is not trying to figure out what I am trying to say. Just because I know what I am writing about does not mean the reader does. Evita 21:58, 15 October 2007 (EDT)

To Write or not to Write

If there is a purpose in your writing it makes it a lot more interesting. However the purpose needs to be aimed at a specific audience. It is one of the most important principles i have learned so far. It looks like audience is the key, and if you can keep them entertained then you wrote a successful paper... Blendi 19:02, 3 October 2007 (EDT)

Writing Accountability

One great aspect of writing that has been brought to your attention is the accountability that you have for your work. This lesson has come both from writing for a large audience and from reading what others have posted in public spaces. Not that you used to worry that your writing could be incriminating, but a reminder is just what you needed. Never forget that what you put into writing can be saved and used in your favor or against you just the same.

Pasta sauce 16:49, 2 October 2007 (EDT)

Transitioning

My high school English class is a bore compared to the fast track that Steph keeps us on. There is always something to do and always something I am confused about. I once would refuse the confusion, but now I embrace it. My confusion while slowly working my way through the world that is UMASSwiki, has made me realize that I can figure anything out. This class forces me to use my insight in ways I never have before. Stephanie 16:56, 2 October 2007 (EDT)

Me. As a Writer.

I can already tell that as a writer, I have grown. I wrote about things I never thought I'd be able to; like that confusing Pink Floyd movie "The Wall." Taking on challenges like I have been so far in this class, and will continue taking on, is stimulating. I'm excited to learn new things and be able to become a better writer. We all know that being an excellent writer is one of the most important traits to have in college; considering I will be writing paper, after paper, after paper, after paper..... I might as well learn to enjoy it more while I'm at it! Tlnelson

Usage of Language

In the introduction essay which I wrote for my classmate, I realized that I have a good title and good idea for the essay, but i still did not create an essay to what I expect, instead explaining all the facts and events of my classmate, and which in flat language. WinMi 00:45, 4 October 2007 (EDT)

How to write a good essay

In order to catch the audience’s attention, you have to respect them. Christine Lee

The Obstacles of Writing

"As a whole I have learned that writing is a series of obstacles that you need to overcome in order to write a good piece. You hae to fall, pick yourself up, and try again in order to succeed. Writing is a universal form of communication, something that should not be taken for granted. So, even though I loathe writing, I am going to give it a shot." Ash 14:12, 4 October 2007 (EDT)

Expressing Yourself Through Writing

"...the next time you find yourself scribbling on a pad imagine that you are a wizard and your writing utensil is your tool for sorcery." User:tylynch25

The goal gone wrong

I had a little trouble establishing an intended audience. I know that the goal of the paper was to present the person who I interviewed to an audience, and I believe that I accomplished that but only in a limited sense. For some reason in this paper it was difficult to write as if I was talking to someone, I felt that I was just listing off her life instead of telling a story. --Adc92388 16:00, 4 October 2007 (EDT)

Crawl Before You Walk

As the weeks passed by, I began to realize that Steph was teaching us how to become better writers step by step, instead of expecting us to already be advanced writers. Posting out writings in blogs, using the Wiki website and being able to comment on other writers has allowed us to help each other improve our skills. DefiniteMisses07 16:15, 4 October 2007 (EDT)

Audience

When I write I am usually using language that appeals to an audience close to my own age. I make a lot of references that maybe someone from a younger or older generation would not understand. Christine Nazario 16:15, 11 October 2007 (EDT)

writer's standard

I never considered myself as a good writer. I am not like those students who works so hard, but at least I know Writers when they write something, and then they change it. Then they change it again. They keep changing it until they feel they get it right.

Hesitant but Hopeful

English has never been my best subject. In high school I struggled with essays from start to finish. The way Steph has this class set up has been good for me to get settled into. The short blogs and posts are technically straining but at least I can write them.

lazy man

So far the writing assignments have been loosely able to considered as work they certainly aren’t difficult, but they also aren’t motivating, they feel more like busy work.first reflection letter.

I'm Improving

The most important thing I have learned so far is how important a title is to any type of literature and that you really needed to spend time on thinking of one.

Sticking to a Format

First, as a writer I am very conventional. I stick to a basic format; starting with an introduction that states the main points I want to address, followed by body paragraphs that elaborate on these points, and ending with a basic conclusion. I have yet to take a chance and write using a more edgy format. AmandaS 11:45, 20 December 2007 (EST)

On the Right Track?

Overall, I am confident about the work I have produced so far, and anticipate developing and learning more about myself as a writer. Lolly 14:36, 20 December 2007 (EST)

SECOND Reflections

Getting Better

I expected college english to be full of reading and writing. Now that we are getting more in to the class, I am becoming less worried about the amount of reading and writing but more of how to do it. DefiniteMisses07 19:57, 20 December 2007 (EST)

Continuing to develop as a writer

"From that first point I know that I have developed as a writer at least in the sense of my feelings towards writing about different topics."

--Adc92388 14:36, 19 December 2007 (EST)

Writing makes better and better

"Now I am creating my own thoughts. Writers write somthing, and then they change it. Then they change it again. They keep changing it until they feel they get it right."

Qchen 16:15, 27 November 2007 (EDT)

Continue to Work

I am happy to have this improvement in a short period. But I know that I should continue to work on my organization of writing. Because I am just getting the idea of how to organize my writing, I still need time to practice it. The more I practice, the better essays that I can write.

WinMi 16:18, 27 November 2007 (EST)

SARS

My topic is SARS.Although the topic SARS does not have a real effect to the Americans, as a foreigner, still want to bring my hometown issue and trying to use it as an example to alert all the people the important of co-operate and to appreciate the works that the people did in Hong Kong.

Christine 16:22, 27 November 2007 (EST)

Pactice makes "better"

The more i write the easier i find writing to be. Each of the papers i have written so far tend to follow this pattern. Today I went back and looked at some of the essays i had written earlier this semester. One of them was "The Wall" essay. I felt great because this time i looked at it and noticed my own mistakes, which usually never happens.

Practice makes "better"

Blendi 16:25, 27 November 2007 (EST)

One heck of a researcher

Thanks to the Penguin Handbook, you know how to properly cite online sources like blogs and online newspaper articles, not to mentino government sources. You've got the tools to write one heck of a research paper now.

However, the rhetorical situation is sort of a different story. You should try to get a better handle on it---look at how you relate yourself to your audience, your audience to your story, and your story to yourself. Pasta sauce 16:42, 27 November 2007 (EST)

Use your head silly!

We're learning how to really use our heads in every different aspect possible; learning to give feedback, receive feedback, and deal with critique from not only the teacher, but peers as well. We're also learning how to actually learn from our own mistakes and see them through our own eyes. We're learning how to mold and try to understand others' writing enough to be able to give accurate feedback to help expand their writing skills as well as our own.

Tlnelson

Drafts

I now know that my first draft should look completely different from my final draft

Reflection 2 Evita 16:48, 27 November 2007 (EST)

Reflection Numero Dos

Either way this was a good learning experience. I learned to use feedback to improve my writing, and that you cannot bang out a paper once and be happy with it. Editing a paper over and over again is normal.

Reflection Letter: Round 2 Ash 17:02, 27 November 2007 (EST)

From First to Second

My first paper was very vague and I did not focus on specific points or ideas. For example, I focused much more about what I was learning in class as opposed to what I was learning about my own writing. The feedback in English 112 has not only helped me with the specific paper I am writing but it helped me to notice my progress and my mistakes that i need to keep working on. Stephanie 17:07, 27 November 2007 (EST)

Trying New Things

I've been taking a chance and changing the way I write a paper. AmandaS 17:13, 27 November 2007 (EST)

No Class, No Pass

This reflection is a little late. I haven’t been to class in a few weeks and I have fallen behind majorly. In my first reflection I was very optimistic. I said that I was, “looking forward to becoming a more disciplined and creative writer as this semester progresses.” It is difficult however to progress when you don’t attend class or do the assignments.

Whos Started the three Equal Signs?

This is more about me...I am more comfortable writing like how I talk and I do not talk well. .I See No Changes.

Learning is Cool

I am pleased with the amount I have | learned and improved my writing abilities in a short month.

Who's up for seconds?

I used to routinely struggle with simple grammar mistakes. Now, I can locate my own mistakes with out help from my instructor! Steph^(talk) 21:09, 19 December 2007 (EST)

Opinion

My opinion should not be that important in a paper regarding research Christine 14:08, 20 December 2007 (EST)

THIRD Reflections

Asking myself WHY??

After searching for information and connecting lessons from this class to create my research paper, I realized how important it was to have reasons, facts, and details to support a statement.

DefiniteMisses07 19:50, 20 December 2007 (EST)

Third reflection letter

"Having to do copious amounts of work on a subject that I truly cared about helped me to examine my writing style and how to perfect it to live up to how I wanted to present my subject, which has helped me to distinguish between the errors that I have made in doing research and my own writing style in the past, and how I needed to perfect it to get to where I wanted to with the big research paper."

--Adc92388 14:46, 19 December 2007 (EST)

Some thoughts on Society and Writing

"Should humanity remain ignorant of these issues, AIDS will never go away (and likely it will get worse), body image will continue to be quite distorted in the media, and civil rights and social justice will be denied where they are long overdue."

"Remember that what you write reflects on you, and should connect you to your audience and your story"

Pasta sauce 16:35, 11 December 2007 (EST)

Final Words(Last but not the least)

I admit that you have to write a lot in this class, from a piece of blog entry to an organized big paper.However, I'm proud to say that my writing gets improved through the writing process.

Christine Lee 20:45, 11 December 2007 (EST)

third time's a charm

"I have learned the most from the research paper" "I moved paragraphs around to make the paper flow better and to hook the readers" Evita 16:21, 13 December 2007 (EST)

Third time criticized

So I started to draft my papers over and over again. All those historical information, I have to go web by web or book by book or maybe my own knowledge and write it down. It’s also a good way to practice our thinking. Then I started to analyze my idea paragraph by paragraph or make the connection with those history and strategy to connect my idea together. Sometimes I have to think hard enough to make my strategy to connect with my history or history connect with my strategy, I have to go back and forth to analyze which way it fits my essay better. Qchen 16:21, 13 December 2007 (EST)

Brainstorming

Writing is all about brainstorming and editing. The more editing put in, the better the writing will come out

WinMi 18:00, 16 December 2007 (EST)

Patrick's Epiphany

...I was very sarcastic, in fact maybe even too dark...I can be dark and sarcastic even free with my writing as long as it pertains to the guidlines,.

Steve's Epiphany (Better Than Pats)

Although my sentence structure and vocabulary have vastly improved the | most enhanced part of my writing recently has been my ability to incorporate research into my papers.

Pay For Play

In my first draft n my first draft for “Pay for Play” I only conveyed to the audience my perspective of the subject. Through council with my instructor and some revision of the essay I decided to include not only my perspective but also the view points of the athletes who are most immediately affected; the fans who support these universities; the N.C.A.A. who regulates all of these rules and restrictions; and the professional realm of each respective sport.

Feedback

Now that we have learned constructive ways to give feedback I am more apt to pay attention to what my classmates have to say. Christine 14:09, 20 December 2007 (EST)

FINAL Reflections

Final Remark

I have learned what makes writing important. DefiniteMisses07 19:56, 20 December 2007 (EST)

Cumulative Learning

Some students summarized or prioritized the most important lessons from everything they learned this semester: in Writing, other courses, living at college. Others kept the sense of the first three reflection letters, focusing only on writing as a medium of communication. Whichever choice each author made with content, the evidence of learning does come across. :-) Steph^(talk) 16:06, 16 December 2007 (EST)

tnelson

FINAL Reflection!

Long paper

The essay was really long, we have to keep criticized our own essay until we feel that setence works. Qchen 16:21, 13 December 2007 (EST)

Some Final Thoughts and Reflectionary Thought-Type Writing

"Writing is art. Words are colors and musical notes that, when creatively arranged together, create literary masterpieces that should regarded as equal with any great work hanging silently in the halls of the Louvre."

Click here if you're feelin' lucky. You feelin' lucky punk?

Marco 23:51, 18 December 2007 (EST)

How far I've come

"One important personality trait that all humans should employ in their everyday lives is to trust their own instincts. Only when a person surrenders themselves to their own ways can they truly let their potential shine forth. This is one of the many things that I have learned from this class."

--Adc92388 20:50, 19 December 2007 (EST)

That's All Folks

I never knew how to construct a coherent paper with ideas that everyone could follow. I did not expect to learn anything in College Writing; I even attempted to not learn anything.

Steph...Its Been Real

College is most certainly looking like the best four years of my life. I still have a lot more fun and hard experiences to encounter with the next three and a half years of my college life.


Connection

Every object has connection with the others. For example, the junior writing classes and freshman writing classes seemed like having nothing common with each other; one is learning to write for its major, and the other is learning to write for the college classes.

WinMi 23:44, 19 December 2007 (EST)

Expectations

The main thing I learned this semester was to not rely on my expectations for things, but rather come into things with an open mind rather than a preconceived notion of what I am going to get out of it. By having an expectation I am almost creating a limitation, and this year in English I was forced to break boundaries and go beyond what I thought was going to be asked of me. Christine 14:12, 20 December 2007 (EST)

In the End... All You Can Do is Reflect

Sharing my ideas without my name stamped on the cover lessens the distance between what I want to write and what I actually do write and share.

Lolly 14:45, 20 December 2007 (EST)